Overview

Under the 1976 Constitution (as modified 1979, and amended in 1988, 1989, and 1996) Algeria is a multi-party state. The Ministry of the Interior must approve all political parties. According to the Constitution, no political association may be formed if it is "based on differences in religion, language, race gender or region." The head of state is the president of the republic, who is elected to a 5-year term, renewable once. Algeria has universal suffrage at the age of 18. The president is the head of the Council of Ministers and of the High Security Council. He appoints the prime minister who also is the head of government. The prime minister appoints the Council of Ministers.

The Algerian Parliament is bicameral, consisting of a lower chamber, the National People's Assembly (APN), with 389 members and an upper chamber, the Council of the Nation, with 144 members. The APN is elected every 5 years. The next round of legislative elections is scheduled to take place in 2007. Two-thirds of the Council of the Nation is elected by regional and municipal authorities; the rest are appointed by the president. The Council of the Nation serves a 6-year term with one-half of the seats up for election or reappointment every 3 years. The last round of elections and appointments to the Council of Nations occurred in 2003. Either the president or one of the parliamentary chambers may initiate legislation. Legislation must be brought before both chambers before it becomes law. Sessions of the APN are televised.

Algeria is divided into 48 wilayates (states or provinces) headed by walis (governors) who report to the Minister of Interior. Each wilaya is further divided into communes. The wilayates and communes are each governed by an elected assembly.

Chief of State and Cabinet Members (Last Updated: 9/9/02)

President: Bouteflika, Abdelaziz
Prime Minister: Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 9 May 2003)
Dep. Prime Minister : Barkat, Said (Min. of Agriculture & Rural Development)
Cabinet Members:
: Toumi, Khalida (Min. of Communication & Culture)
: Khalil, Chekib (Min. of Energy & Mining)
: Rahmani, Cherif (Min. of Environment)
: Terbeche, Mohamed (Min. of Finance)
: Mimoune, Smail (Min. of Fisheries)
: Belkhadem, Abdelaziz (Min. of Foreign Affairs)
: Aberkane, Abdelhamid (Min. of Health)
: Harraoubia, Rachid (Min. of Higher Education & Scientific Research)
: Hamimid, Mohamed Nadir (Min. of Housing)
: Djaaboub, El-Hachemi (Min. of Industry)
: Youbi, Zine Eddine (Min. of Information Technology & Communication)
: Zerhouni, Nourredine Yazid (Min. of Interior)
: Charfi, Mohammed (Min. of Justice)
: Louh, Tayeb (Min. of Labor & Social Security)
: Abbas, Mohamed Cherif (Min. of Moudjhidine)
: Salah, Nourredine (Min. of National Education)
: Belaiz, Tayeb (Min. of National Solidarity)
: Temmar, Abdelhamid (Min. of Participation & Promotion of Investment)
: Boukrouh, Noureddine (Min. of Commerce)
: Abad, Abdelhamid (Min. of Professional Training)
: Ghoul, Amar (Min. of Public Works)
: Taleb, Noureddine (Min. in Charge of Relations With the Parliament)
: Ghlamallah, Bouabdellah (Min. of Religious Affairs)
: Bedbada, Mustapha (Min. of Small & Medium-Sized Industries)
: Dorbani, Lakhdar (Min. of Tourism)
: Sellal, Abdelmalek (Min. of Transport)
: Attar, Abdelmadjid (Min. of Water Resources)
: Benbouzid, Boubekeur (Min. of Youth & Sports)
: Messahel, Abdelkader (Min. Del. in Charge of African Affairs)

: Cheriet, Boutheina (Min. Del. in Charge of the Family & Women's Issues)
: Mentouri, Fatiha (Min. Del. in Charge of Financial Reform)
: Kabilia, Daho Ould (Min. Del. in Charge of Local Collectives)
: Bouchemla, Fatma Zohra (Min. Del. in Charge of National & Foreign Identity)
: Sallat, Abdelkar (Min. Del. in Charge of Prison Reform)
: Benaisa, Rachid (Min. Del. in Charge of Rural Development)
: Boutleis, Leila Hammou (Min. Del. in Charge of Scientific Research)